24/7 Guided

Signature

Signature

We use premium hotels that are unique expressions of the region. Often they’ve had a previous life as a monastery or a castle, but in every case they offer an exceptionally comfortable stay.

Bistro

These are stylish 4-star properties that offer a casual and comfortable stay. Often without a 24-hour concierge or room service, they tend to be smaller family-run hotels that are perfect for the region.

Level

Enthusiast

X

Occasional

“I can’t say I really ‘work out,’ but I’m in good shape and am relatively active.”

Recreational

“I enjoy a good walk or ride, and feel comfortable while on the move.”

Enthusiast

“I get moving at least once a week, and don’t mind a little sweat.”

Avid

“I get moving a few times per week and enjoy some exertion.”

Expert

“I want to feel invigorated each day and going hard is how I like to do that.”

Beauty, splendour & spectacular biking

South Africa is one of our oldest friends. We saw a stunning country that lent itself beautifully to our penchant for pedalling, and knew we absolutely had to introduce B&R travellers to it. It’s hard to believe that so much beauty, diversity and wine can be found so close to Cape Town—not to mention truly spectacular biking. In fact, this trip is not unlike many of our European jaunts, as we explore a compact area and stay in one elegant hotel after another. Pedalling along roads lined with dramatic vistas, we cover the Cape Winelands and cross over dramatic mountains, entering the Klein Karoo and Overberg. As our trip winds down, we will visit the coastal town of Hermanus before ending up in Cape Town.

How do you want to travel?

Go PrivateGo Bespoke

South Africa Biking

Ready-to-Book private tours are designed to be enjoyed off-the-rack, but there is room for minor adjustments to fit the trip to your needs. If the gap is too great, then we’d be happy to tailor-make you a Bespoke trip from scratch. Simply tell us a few details about your group and select your preferred date. One of our Trip Designers will spring into action, confirming the details or exploring alternatives, over the next 48 hours.

Day by Day

Welcome to South Africa! Upon your arrival at the Cape Town International Airport, your guide will be waiting for you in the arrival hall. Spend the day exploring your surroundings.

A short drive from your farm hotel will bring you to the quaint country village of Franschoek. We’ll pedal the back streets of Franschoek and explore the surrounding wine farms.

Our route takes a scenic ride through wine country on undulating asphalt roads making our way to historic Stellenbosch, with options to taste wine and experience cellar tours along the way. We end our ride at the beautiful Middelvlei Wine Estate to enjoy a traditional braai (BBQ) on the manor house’s lawn.

Hop on your bike and cycle into the remote frontier town of Montagu, arriving in time for a farm-style lunch. Get settled in your lodge before spending the remainder of the afternoon wine tasting, exploring the town or taking a hike around a nearby canyon.

Leaving directly from the front door of the hotel, today's ride takes you through a dramatic canyon with soaring twisted rock faces and into the rolling hills of the scenic wine country. We will make our way to the rural farming community of Bonnievale and have lunch on a wine farm along the banks of the Breede River, the life blood for this arid region.

Bike on beautiful broad roads with stunning remote mountain scenery. The route drops down to the dramatic Tradouw’s Pass, revealing its wonderful rock formations, and take you to the missionary town of Suurbraak for lunch at an organic vegetable farm.

Our ride takes us through the vast fields of wheat and down the Caledon Pass into the beautiful Hemel en Aarde (Heaven and Earth) Valley, one of the Cape’s premier wine regions. Whet your palette while we will stroll through the vineyards to understand the fine art of viticulture and to sample the wines.

Early this morning we’re trading in our bicycles for kayaks to search for whales and seals in the bay. After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll drive beside the spectacular False Bay coastline, taking out the bikes along the way for a scenic ride to soak up the views.

After a quick walk to the colony, we will ride from Simonstown along the beautiful False Bay coastline, gradually ascending to reach the famous Cape of Good Hope, commonly called Cape Point.

Either climb or take a cable car to the top of Table Mountain. Ride down the famous Table Mountain Ariel Cableway, returning to the city in time for lunch at a home-hosted affair in the Bo-Kaap, the Cape Malay Quarter of Cape Town.

After breakfast, your guide will drive you back to Cape Town International Airport for your journey home. Safe travels!

Hotels

Babylonstoren, Simondium

This 250-hectare working farm is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms in the Western Cape, surrounded by the dramatic Simonsberg and Franschhoek Mountains. Dating back to 1690, the original farm structures are beautifully preserved, reflecting the simplified Cape Dutch architecture of the era, with white washed walls and thick thatched roofs. View hotel website »

Mimosa Lodge, Montagu

This 19thC farmhouse is now a charming lodge set conveniently in the centre of Montagu. Lovingly converted and restored by chef and owner Bernard Hess, each room opens onto a Victorian veranda or the extensive, lush gardens. Other amenities include a well-stocked library, a heated salt-water pool and a boules pitch available for some pre-dinner competition! View hotel website »

Schoone Oordt Country House

Schoone Oordt Country House is a charming country hotel with 10 luxury bedrooms set in lush gardens, an intimate Conservatory restaurant, a saltwater pool and a passion for people, family, food, wine and the environment. The emphasis here is on unpretentious unaffected luxury, quality and acute attention to detail. View hotel website »

The Marine Hermanus

The Marine Hermanus holds prime position on top of the cliffs at Hermanus, with spectacular seascapes over Walker Bay and the Overberg Mountains. It is decorated in a sophisticated nautical theme, with black and white photography and a unique wave designed class screen. Dining options are varied, with The Pavilion Restaurant and the Wine Cellar offering an elegant, yet relaxed and informal atmosphere, while the Seafood at The Marine emphasizes the freshness of the fish from Walker Bay. View hotel website »

Kensington Place

Located in the leafy Cape Town suburb of Higgovale, surrounded by Table Mountain and overlooking the city, this luxury boutique hotel houses just eight spacious suites. Sink into the total comfort of meticulously designed suites defined by a blend of luscious textures and contemporary detail. Breakfast is served throughout the day and a seasonal menu is always on hand should you wish to dine by the pool or on your own private terrace. View hotel website »

Read about hotels

With its rolling farmland, coastal vistas, and soaring mountains, South Africa’s Western Cape is choice cycling country. On this loop from Cape Town through wine country you’ll pedal some 20 miles a day, stopping to sample the region’s much-lauded Semillon and Pinotage.

National Geographic Traveler

We have taken many B&R trips, and this was one of the best. All hotels, food, scenery and experiences were first-rate, but what pushed the trip to the top of the list were our amazing guides who were there to anticipate our every need.

— Virginia Gerst

We never wanted to be the biggest travel company in the world, just the best. — George Butterfield

Enthusiast

This trip is rated Enthusiast, meaning it’s appropriate for travellers who bike about once a week at home. Daily biking distances usually vary from 25 to 40 km amid the vineyards, farmlands and coastline of South Africa’s Western Cape. The riding is on predominantly asphalt roads, with the occasional compact dirt road. You can expect to encounter a few steep hills and at least one steep descent. There are plenty of shorter and longer options available each day to accommodate a wide range of fitness levels.

The Traveller

“I bike about once a week at home.”

The Terrain

Gently rolling countryside, with occasional longer climbs to points that are well worth the effort. Layover days accommodate varying preferences.

What’s included? Everything you need. Plus everything you’d want. Plus a few things you never knew you wanted ‘til you got them.

In a word: everything. In ninety words? Signature B&R guides; local experts; unique, unforgettable biking and walking routes; private tours; authentic local cuisine; lessons and demonstrations; local artisanal wines; wine tastings; all victuals and libations; all the endorphins you can handle; new insight; interesting, fun and like-minded travel companions; a feeling of total freedom. In short: an extraordinary, hassle-free journey of discovery.

All hotel accommodation

Meals as indicated with drinks

Services of B&R-trained local guide(s)

Support vehicles during bike rides

Use of a Giant Cypress bicycle or Giant Escape and helmet

Detailed maps and water bottle

All special events and private tours

All transportation from rendezvous to drop-off

The Bikes

You can’t enjoy a great biking trip without a really great bike. On this trip, we’ll use well-tuned, high-quality, local bikes that provide a good fit to your size and weight.

Sometimes your B&R trip simply isn’t long enough! Extend your stay for the best vacation possible. If you wish to spend a few days in region either before or after your official B&R trip, and need assistance making those plans, your B&R Travel Advisor can help. Call us to help you create an independent travel experience that fits your needs—if you desire, we can also arrange for a local guide.